STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2655--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 21, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SAYEGH, COLTON, SHIMSKY, LEMONDES -- read once
and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations -- recommit-
ted to the Committee on Governmental Operations in accordance with
Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- reported and referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the "New York
commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "New York commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act".
3 § 2. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 559-a to
4 read as follows:
5 § 559-a. Commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. 1. Definitions.
6 As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:
7 (a) "Chairperson" means the chairperson of the commission for the deaf
8 and hard of hearing.
9 (b) "Commission" means the commission for the deaf and hard of hear-
10 ing.
11 (c) "Director" means the director of the commission for the deaf and
12 hard of hearing.
13 (d) "Vice-chairperson" means the vice-chairperson of the commission
14 for the deaf and hard of hearing.
15 2. Commission. The commission for the deaf and hard of hearing is
16 created as an executive agency of state government. The commission shall
17 be composed of eleven members, governed by a chairperson, and headed by
18 a director.
19 3. Commission membership. (a) The commission shall be composed of
20 eleven voting members appointed by the governor from residents of the
21 state whose position, knowledge, or experience enables them to reason-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05453-03-6
A. 2655--A 2
1 ably represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of deaf or hard
2 of hearing persons. At a minimum, six voting members of the commission
3 shall be persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, at least one of whom
4 shall be fluent in a sign language other than American sign language.
5 The remaining five members of the commission shall be representatives
6 of agencies, nonprofit corporations and organizations, and other groups
7 that work with the deaf and hard of hearing communities, as well as
8 academics and other experts. The chairperson of the commission shall be
9 elected from the commission's membership by a simple majority vote of
10 the total membership of the commission. The vice-chairperson of the
11 commission shall be elected from the commission's membership by a simple
12 majority vote of the total membership of the commission.
13 (b) The governor shall consider nominations made by advocacy groups
14 for the deaf and hard of hearing and community-based organizations.
15 (c) Of the initial members appointed by the governor, three shall be
16 appointed to terms of one year, four shall be appointed to terms of two
17 years, and four shall be appointed to terms of three years. Thereafter,
18 all members shall be appointed for terms of three years. No member shall
19 serve more than two consecutive terms. A member shall serve until their
20 successor is appointed and qualified.
21 (d) Initial members' terms of office shall be chosen by lot at the
22 initial meeting of the commission.
23 (e) Vacancies in commission membership shall be filled in the same
24 manner as initial appointments. Appointments to fill vacancies occurring
25 before the expiration of a term shall be for the remainder of the unex-
26 pired term.
27 (f) Members shall not receive compensation for their services but
28 shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the perform-
29 ance of their duties plus up to fifty dollars per day for any actual
30 loss of wages incurred in the performance of their duties.
31 (g) Total membership consists of the number of voting members, as
32 defined in this section, excluding any vacant positions. A quorum shall
33 consist of a simple majority of total membership and shall be sufficient
34 to conduct the transaction of business of the commission unless stipu-
35 lated otherwise in the by-laws of the commission.
36 (h) The commission shall meet at least quarterly.
37 4. Director. The director shall be hired, supervised, evaluated, and
38 terminated by the commission. The director shall carry out the policies,
39 programs, and activities of the commission. The director shall employ,
40 manage, and organize the staff of the commission as they deem appropri-
41 ate.
42 5. Powers and duties of the commission. The commission shall be a
43 coordinating and advocating body that acts on behalf of the interests of
44 persons in this state who are deaf or hard of hearing, including chil-
45 dren, adults, senior citizens, and those with any additional disability.
46 The commission shall cooperate and work in consultation with other agen-
47 cies of the state with appropriate expertise and authority in matters
48 relating to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The commission
49 shall submit an annual report of its activities to the governor and the
50 legislature on or before January first of each year. The commission
51 shall:
52 (a) Make available and provide an educational and informational
53 program through printed materials, workshop and training sessions, pres-
54 entations, demonstrations, and public awareness events about deaf gain
55 for citizens in this state and for public and private entities. The
56 program shall include, but not be limited to, information concerning
A. 2655--A 3
1 information and referral services, lending libraries, service and
2 resource availability, the interpreter registry, accessibility and
3 accommodation issues, assistive technology, empowerment issues, obli-
4 gations of service providers and employers, educational options, and
5 current federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies regarding
6 deaf gain.
7 (b) Cooperate with public and private agencies and local, state, and
8 federal governments to coordinate programs for persons who are deaf or
9 hard of hearing.
10 (c) Provide technical assistance, consultation, and training support
11 to start and enhance existing programs and services for persons who are
12 deaf or hard of hearing.
13 (d) Evaluate and monitor state programs delivering services to deaf
14 and hard of hearing persons to determine their effectiveness; identify
15 and promote new services or programs whenever necessary; and make recom-
16 mendations to public officials about changes necessary to improve the
17 quality and delivery of services, programs, and activities and about
18 future financial support to continue existing programs and establish new
19 programs.
20 (e) Monitor state funded programs delivering services to persons who
21 are deaf or hard of hearing to determine the extent that promised and
22 mandated services are delivered.
23 (f) Review, evaluate, and participate in the development of proposed
24 and amended statutes, rules, regulations, and policies relating to
25 services, programs, and activities for deaf and hard of hearing persons
26 and make recommendations on existing statutes, rules, regulations, and
27 policies to the governor, the legislature and state agencies.
28 (g) Promote cooperation among state and local agencies providing
29 educational programs for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
30 (h) Make recommendations upon request from the governor, the legisla-
31 ture and state agencies regarding rules and regulations related to
32 recruitment, evaluation, certification, licensure, and training stand-
33 ards of interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing persons.
34 6. Rules and regulations. The commission shall promulgate rules and
35 regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
36 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
37 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
38 ment, and/or repeal of any rules and regulations necessary to implement
39 the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
40 completed on or before such effective date.
